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East Providence News

1/4/2016 - Eco-Depot Collections January 2016

In an effort to promote a safer home and a cleaner state during 2016 and beyond, Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation (RIRRC) will host a free Eco-Depot collection on Saturday, January 9 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Central Landfill located at 65 Shun Pike in Johnston. This Eco-Depot is available to Rhode Island residents only, and to help reduce time spent in line, appointments should be made in advance.

Created in 2001, the Eco-Depot program is a free service offered by Resource Recovery that provides for the proper handling, packaging, storage, transportation and disposal of household hazardous waste. Since its inception, Resource Recovery has collected approximately 10.6 million pounds of household hazardous waste and served more than 148,000 Rhode Islanders. With numerous collection dates and events held at several municipal locations throughout the state, Rhode Island’s Eco-Depot program is unlike any other household hazardous waste collection in the country.

In addition to household hazardous waste, properly prepared sharps (i.e. needles, lancets) will also be accepted at this Eco-Depot collection. For sharps to be accepted for disposal, they must be secured either in a sharps container or a puncture-proof plastic bleach, detergent or coffee container that is taped shut and labeled “SHARPS.” Sharps containers prepared in this method can also be disposed of with regular trash collection.

“There’s no better way to start the year,” said Joe Rotella, Special Waste Manager for Resource Recovery. “With a simple appointment process that allows for quick and easy drop-offs, we hope more residents will join us in creating safer homes and a healthier environment for all Rhode Islanders.”

Many common household items are actually household hazardous waste materials that cannot be collected through Rhode Island’s standard trash and recycling collection services. These materials include: fluorescent light bulbs, gasoline, pesticides, oil-based paints, disinfectants, used motor oil and lawn and pool chemicals. When not properly collected and disposed, these materials can cause harm to the local environment by contaminating Rhode Island’s waterways. For a full list of household hazardous waste materials, please visit www.ecodepotri.org.

This upcoming collection in Johnston is one of 46 Eco-Depot collections RIRRC will provide throughout the state in 2016. To make an appointment for the collection or to view the entire 2016 Eco-Depot schedule, visit www.ecodepotri.org or call 401-942-1430 x241.